NEW YORK — Does the date July 5, 2005 mean anything to you? It should, because it was a milestone day in Nationals history. With a 3-2 victory over the Mets at RFK Stadium that evening, the Nats improved to 51-32. They haven't been 19 games over .500 since.

Today, they have the opportunity to get back to that high-water mark as they seek a sweep of the same Mets, this time at Citi Field. And who better to send to the mound for such a game than Stephen Strasburg, who undoubtedly is motivated to rebound from his last start in which he helped instigate that blown 9-0 lead against the Braves. There may be no pitcher in baseball teams would rather not have to face than Strasburg coming off a shaky outing. He's given up four or more earned runs only four times in his career; his ERA the start after he gave up those runs: 1.06.

Only one change to Davey Johnson's lineup from last night: Sandy Leon will be behind the plate. Jesus Flores (who has been dealing with a stiff back) came out of last night's game fine, and he made a couple of nice plays in the process, but Johnson didn't want to take his chances throwing Flores back out there after a short turnaround.

We've got a really early, 12:10 p.m. start today. If you're stuck in the office and can't watch, you're in luck — plenty of updates and analysis to come right here…

July 5, 2005 was also the beginning of the end for a team that didn't have Ace starting pitching.This team has no similarities to that team except the name on the front of the jersey.The best team in the NL right now is the Nationals and 19 games over .500 is part of battle to win the war. Another victory on the march to winning it all.

Ghost Of Steve M. said…This team has no similarities to that team except the name on the front of the jersey.Not even that. The 2005 Nats' jerseys said "NATIONALS" across the front. That's been replaced by the Curly W.

assuming Flores injuries are rest related, could Davey employ a bullpen type situation with Leon/Solano playing 7 innings and then Flores (games he does not start) coming in with the relief pitchers for defensive purposes?

Yay, Valdespin in the lineup, so no pinch-hit dingers! Plus, there's a bowler in the OF!! Plus, my boss said I could take off to watch the game on tv!!! Yes!!!! (She's pretty awesome that way. ;-)) Go, SS! Go, NATS BATS!! (Er, did I just use too many exclamation points?? My aunt does that, so it must run in the family.)

Mick, Davey has to hope September 1st gets here quickly where he can callup Solano and Maldanado and carry 4 catchers. With 4 catchers, who knows. I could see Davey pinch-hitting and changing it up. Goal is to keep JFlo fresh. When JFlo is fresh, he will get you hits.

Once we reach this 19 game over mark, I'd like to be done comparing this team to '05. It is completely different now. I love listening and learning from Davey and understanding how a manager adds to the team. His discussion about "taking it 5 games at a time" (i.e., going from 15 to 20 to 25 games above .500) was a great little nugget about how to keep a great team motivated.In this year, no matter the occasional stinker, there's enough of a body of work to convince me we're the best team in the NL East (and right now the whole NL) top to bottom. We're all learning how to be front-runners but I think it's time to turn the switch. Imagine you were a Phils fan on your way to any of the 100 win seasons. Don't think defensively – no sky is falling ever – just every day know that we're better than the team we're playing. We might lose a few but so be it. I've had a such a great time this season and I'm making the switch.

Agreed re. 2005 comparisons, Natslifer, but I don't think that they'll stop. Baseball's all about comparisons. Also, a fan terminology quibble: we're learning how to be winners, not front-runners (that's for the bandwagon fans).

NatsNut said…Also, was there any specific commentary from announcers or writers on why Danny chose to hit Dickey from the right?I read answers in the last thread regarding Danny's right handedness, etc., but I heard a completely different reason from Charlie and Dave last night. One of them said that it was the way Dickey's knuckler tailed in or out — the movement was a bit more like one would see from a left-handed pitcher than a RHP.FWIW

Hey — great story about DRo suggesting to Shark about using a lighter bat (and spreading the idea to LaRoche for Dickey).(And… recalling Werth's advice to Harper about when/how to steal against Hamels…)When folk talk about having some "veteran presence" on the bench — this is probably exactly what they mean.And, fwiw, I think it's one of the extras that Davey Johnson (who hit 43 HR's one year, four time all-star and three-time gold glove winner at 2B) brings as a manager, too.

BTW, Nats _average_ home attendance now slightly over 30K per game (!). Quite a jump from last year at this time (slightly under 22.5K per).(Where are those stupid sports junkies, or whoever, on this?)

Actually, Ghost and Csndide, I think the name in the front of the uniforms they're wearing today (on the road) IS the same as 2005 — Washington.Isn't it great that we can sit around and babble on about such crucial topics? After 33 years of baseball drought and seven years in the "spoiler at best" wilderness, I live every moment of this! And I love this team, not just because they're winners, but because rhey're a really worthy bunch of guys to take that winners role. How can you not loce a team with a guy like Morse who plays practical jokes in his teammates and then goes around the dugout hugging them?

Other random notes from yesterday's games (as I get antsy waiting for the game) from youjustcantpredictbaseball:- Zack Greinke homered off of Cliff Lee. Greinke now has as many home runs on the season as Cliff Lee has wins.- the Pirates have the best home record in baseball.- in a span of five batters, King Felix hit three of them.

I did mean "front-runner" for the team – I think we in here can safely say we're about as far opposite of front-runners as you can get. BTW, despite me going to both Friday and Saturday morning's games, I did have one really great moment with my 8 year old on Saturday morning. He's been playing baseball for four years, is pretty knowledgeable but still a kid. As HRod walked out of the game with his head hung low, there was a lot of booing and a smattering of clapping. I looked at him and had him stand with me and clap. When we sat down, I said "son, you can think whatever you want of the team but with me you will never boo your own guys and you will never do the wave at this ballpark." He thought about it for a second and shook on it… just laying the foundation for a great decade to come.

Steady Eddie wrote:After 33 years of baseball drought and seven years in the "spoiler at best" wilderness, I live every moment of this! And I love this team, not just because they're winners, but because rhey're a really worthy bunch of guys to take that winners role. How can you not loce a team with a guy like Morse who plays practical jokes in his teammates and then goes around the dugout hugging them? I "live" this, too ;-)But seriously. This is awesome. Another aspect of this season that makes it particularly fun for me is that we got to see the Nats build a team, almost from scratch, brick-by-brick. It's not like some good team got transplanted here — it was a bad team with a depleted farm system. Kasten, and then Rizzo, had to start at ground zero. For the fan, it takes longer, but it's more fun, and definitely more rewarding that way.And, thanks to the 'Net — we had a ton of easily accessible information, to see which guys were coming up from the farm, draft day info, etc etc.And, the FO did it the right way — by stressing youth, and the future, and signing "good" guys, and getting rid of bad influences. No relying on old aging players year after year to prop up a couple more wins.And, by doing it the right way, we see a _great_ future ahead of us.Consider: not only are the Nats one of the, if not _the_ best teams in the NL, but they are also the _youngest_ team in the NL. What a combination!Fun and _good_ solid baseball for years to come!I'm lovin' it!! (And I've been off kool-ade for a while!)

Actually, Wonk, as you might imagine, that "live" this team was an iPhone autocorrect typo. But I'll take the Zen meaning anyway. And in terms of the way the Nats seem to be pushing other things like work and yard chores out of the way, "live" seems to be accurate in more ways too…Looks like Stras is out for double digit Ks AND a low pitch count. Can only do that by relentlessly attacking the zone which is his MO today. Great to see.

Steady Eddie said… Actually, Wonk, as you might imagine, that "live" this team was an iPhone autocorrect typo. But I'll take the Zen meaning anyway.I suspected it was a typo, but, either way, I was trying to imply that I agree with both meanings.It appears we are both living this and loving it! ;-)Thanks!

djinFl. said… McCatty must have one heck of a meeting last week. We have now gone through the entire rotation without any of them nibbling at the corners. July 25, 2012 1:31 PM Right you are. This is the only reason to get power pitchers is to go after hitters. Nibbling corners is for the soft-tossers who lack movement.Its taken a while and JZim has really been schooling the rest of the staff based on the Cat's preachings to the youngsters of pitch to contact and quick innings. Stras still likes to get that K when he has 2 strikes on them.

This is Hefner's last inning and into their 'pen!Have to love the Shark getting a walk and pushing up that OBP. Batting average at .297Still laugh at all those that said he was a waste on this team. While I didn't see Bernie as a starter, I certainly saw him as a key bench piece.Brown is sitting another game. Would like to see him get some time.

Another thing with Stras — we need always to keep in mind that in a first full post-TJ year, the command is going to come and go from one game to the next, as JZimm has testified. Clearly it's partly a matter of mindset, but it didn't seem in the Barves' game that Stras was intending to nibble. He just did not have command of his fastball, it was going all over the place. Kind if interesting that that wasn't mentioned in any of the Nats' remarks about it last time when JZimm had made such an emphatic point about it earlier this year (in talking about his greater reliability and command this year).

Davey's lesson about trusting your stuff and pounding the strike zone clearly hit home with the Big Fella. Sometimes it takes getting bit a couple of times for new guys to learn (especially if they are already great). Lifetime, this is only his 37th start in the big leagues.

Steady Eddie said…… it didn't seem in the Barves' game that Stras was intending to nibble. He just did not have command of his fastball, it was going all over the place. Good point, Eddie. That's how I saw it, too.

Ghost…. I think you and I have been consistent in our view of Bernadina. Solid athlete that needed some cosistent playing time to establish some confidence.Davey is a master at getting guys to achieve their potential.

Shark's OBP up to .375 That is just incredible. Smaller bat, better bat speed, and have to wonder if he took a shot of Zim's magic potion.What I love is Shark is not trying to be a HR hitter like he thought he had to be in the 2011 off-season to win the corner OF position. Slap hitter with speed is a great thing when you can put up those big BA/OBP numbers.Just another pleasant surprise this season.

Sometimes it takes getting bit a couple of times for new guys to learn (especially if they are already great). Lifetime, this is only his 37th start in the big leagues. Imagine Stras's 2013 comparing to his 2012 the way Znn's 2012 is comparing to his 2011.'Scuse me – I need to go get a tissue, wipe the drool off the keyboard.

MLB "scout" pointed out that all of Strasburg's fastballs to the last batter were 93 and 94 — which is lower than earlier in the game.In any event, after 6 full innings: 84 pitches, 4 Hits, 1 R, 10K's.So far, this is proving the stat-geeks correct. It is not strike-outs that drive a pitch count up. It's primarily walks, and then hits. Strasburg's count is down, despite 10 K's, because he has zero walks and only four hits.

NatsJack, further on your point. Yes, Davey is the master with these hitters and while Rizzo doesn't like Bernie, Davey does and that's what I love is that it is Davey's 25 men. He stuck with Danny probably longer than any Manager should of and they have made each other look good. I still thought Danny needed AAA time again but Davey found a way of making it work and all credit to him.Davey also has a way of giving credit to Ecksteeeen instead of himself.

NatsJack in Florida said… And with JZimm, it's just the begining. He'll be a beast for years to come. July 25, 2012 2:03 PM Davey has done a great job in making him his post-All Star number 1 and JZim has responded well.

NatsJack, and how about Stras looking more and more Verlanderish in these good starts. Moving locations and the 4 seamer with extra velo. Lots of K's looking today.I wonder how many No-hitters Stras has in his future. I still think Leyland over-uses Verlie during the regular season and Davey is smart enough to save innings. Complete games are somewhat over-rated when the bigger picture is being an Ace into the post-season.

Schumatrix said… The Mets' bullpen is our best player! July 25, 2012 2:07 PM The Nats did to Hefner what the Yankees did to the Nats. Saw lots of pitches and got into the bullpen early.Perfect formula to keep this going.

Ghost…. It seems it's 85 pitches and the inning it occurs. Like he starts the 7th under 85 and as long as no one gets on, he finishes the inning. But ad soon as he hits 85 and someone gets on, he's done.

This is Davie playing the role of the gambler.It doesn't have anything to do with Rizzo. Rizzo wants to keep the kid because of his potential; there are games when we are behind when he can be used not in a situation like this.

We are going to screw with the best season in 80 years in this town because of Rizzo's egoOh, puleeze, stop with that pants wetting psych-babble already, will you?And even _if_ all Rizzo cared about was his ego (which I think is a crazy notion), surely he knows that if the Nats get to the World Series, he'd be lauded as GM of the year.

Wonk, I was in the shower, hard to type from there. But I still might not have objected. If Henry can't succeed with bases clean, 80 degree day, sunny, 5-1 and the bottom of the order coming up, when can he? So the answer is, he can't. End of story–even I have lost hope.Guess Davey is going to use Storen.

As I said if Rizzo absolutely wants to protect Henry for possible future greatness Davie must only use him if we are behind be enough runs that a comeback is not likely; like last week's Gio game. I don't think we should tempt fate again like this.

In the what have you done for me lately department, will the HRod haters at least recognize his play in April.The Nats are where we are, in part, because of the blazing 14-4 start we had. At the end of those 18 games, Henry had pitched 9 times, had 5 saves (in 5 save opportunities), and had allowed only one hit. Henry was a major factor in that 14-4 start.

Wonk, I'm fine with what Henry did in April. I'm fine with all the patience Davey (and Rizzo) have displayed. But keeping Henry means you have to keep the 8-man BP, or use him in situations like today–and that's really hard on the rest of the BP. Davey used four pitchers in that inning.

Njack,I think Rizzo is great for the team….other than his refusal to admit his mistakes and move on when it is oh so clear that HROD is hurting his team. Look back several Rizzo years and you can find many Matt Stairs types…..which is bad enough but if he trades for your….you get to stay no matter what. That is Rizzo's flaw and I wish he could get over it.

Note: I wasn't writing about April-Henry as an argument to cut or keep him — just that the haters should realize he helped immensely — he was lights out for a while, and, obviously, there's a big debate going on over whether he could ever do it again.Given Rizzo's/Davey's track record on sticking with guys that we all wanted to DFA or send back to the minors (Ian, Espi, Shark, etc.) I trust their judgement. If they see potential, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.Davey obviously thought he could move HRod up to a minorly-stressful 4-run lead. (And it appeared HRod struck that second guy out). He didn't. Everyone would have agreed it was worth a try, if it had worked. But nobody has a crystal ball.

Maybe HRod wouldn't clear waivers, but I don't care. Remember what Rizzo said when he released Daniel Cabrera? "I was tired of watching him." The D-Backs picked him up on waivers and after six appearances, they were tired of watching him, too.It's not like all that's standing between us and a good BP is a lights-out Henry. It's not 2008; we don't need to keep him and pray that he'll come around and help us field a decent team. Again, right now, we are tied for the best record in baseball with the New York Yankees. Would the Yanks put up with this?